There are seven rivers with fighting steelhead within a five-minute to one-hour drive of Gold Beach and Port Orford. This includes the Rogue River along with the Sixes, Elk, Pistol, Chetco, Winchuck and Smith Rivers. Guides, boats, licenses and supplies are available in Gold Beach and Port Orford.
If you would prefer to ocean fish, Gold Beach offers the best ocean bottom fishing opportunities year around. Be certain to call in advance and reserve an Ocean charter.
Fishing Map for Gold Beach and Port Orford
View Gold Beach and Port Orford Fishing in a larger map
Fishing the Rogue River
The Rogue River was designated as Wild and Scenic by the US Government in 1968 and is famous worldwide for outstanding fishing. Fishermen should make plans to stop and fish, either by renting a boat, or signing up with one of the highly skilled river guides.
Spring Chinook are fished from March through June in a section of the river from Gold Beach up through Agness.
The mouth of the Rogue, near the Port of Gold Beach, is where fall Chinook Salmon stack up in the cooler water. These same Chinook head upstream in late summer and early fall as the Rogue cools down. Trolling from smaller jet boats, anglers catch salmon up to 60 pounds.
The Rogue also receives a healthy run of Coho Salmon in September through December.
Steelhead are sea-run rainbow trout hit their peak between December through March.
The mouth of the wild and scenic world famous Rogue River is in Gold Beach. The river travels roughly east for about 215 miles (346 km) to its headwaters at the base of Crater Lake National Park.
Fishing at Cape Blanco Lighthouse and State Park
The Cape Blanco Lighthouse is a favorite location for whale watching and offers spectacular views. The Wild and Scenic Sixes River passes through the State Park while the Wild and Scenic Elk River passes by just to the south.
Both the Sixes and Elk Rivers are about 50 miles long and flow from the Siskiyou National Forest. The Elk has more King Salmon holding water holes per mile than any other stream in Oregon. The Sixes river has a gentler gradient and sees a bit less action than the Elk.
Cape Blanco State Park is located 4 miles north of Port Orford. Turn west on Cape Blanco Road and drive 2 miles to the park entrance. All campsites are first-come, first-served. To reserve cabins, horse campsites or the group camp, call 800-452-5687.
The Cape Blanco Lighthouse is located just north of Port Orford.
Port Orford, OR
Crabbing in Gold Beach – Port Orford
Dungeness crab, thought by many to be among the sea’s finest delicacies, are caught in this area from midsummer to late fall, and into the winter (commercial crabbing is closed Aug. 15 to Nov. 30). The best crabbing is done from a boat in the ocean but area crabbers know they can drop a cage off the Port Orford Pier and sometimes grab a few for dinner.
Crab ring rental is available at The Rogue Outdoor Store, 29865 Ellensburg Ave, Gold Beach, (541) 247-7142.
Agness
Agness is a charming tiny (population: 113 in 2007) community located near the confluence of two Wild and Scenic Rivers—the Lower Rogue River and the Illinois River. The Agness area is popular for fishing and hiking. more…
Gold Beach Visitors Center
(800) 525-2334
The Visitors Center is located on the beach at the southern end of town. It is located on beach and offers information about area artists, art galleries, events, hiking, camping, etc – open 7 days a week in the summer, closed Sunday during the off season. There is ample parking, RV turnarround and easiy access to the beach. Restrooms and Internet access.
Hello,
How likely is it that we will be able to catch crabs from the dock around July 14th?
How much more likely if we can find a boat to take us out or rent ourselves?
Thanks in advance for any advice you can give us.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict how likely you are to catch crabs, nor any other fish. A lot of people fish for crabs at various docks (Bandon is one of the favorites, although there are others) and sometimes people catch a bunch and other times, none at all.
As to renting a boat for crabbing, I would suggest calling one of the companies that rents boats. Usually, success depends on knowing where to crab.
We hope you enjoy your visit. The southern Oregon and Northern California coasts are a magical place to visit.